From a late‑night online splurge to a vintage bargain you found at your local second-hand shop, a special thrill comes with adding a fresh piece to your wardrobe.
But while it can be tempting to skip the laundry step and wear it right away, experts agree it’s worth pausing to wash it first.
Why you should wash new clothes
Many of us don’t realise that new clothes aren’t necessarily as ‘clean’ as they seem. Garments from the factory floor to the shop are treated with dyes, resins and finishing chemicals, often manufactured in areas with poor air quality and pollution. These treatments commonly include resins (used to prevent wrinkling) and dyes that can irritate skin and cause allergic reactions, especially for people with sensitive skin or eczema.
More alarmingly, studies have found traces of potentially hazardous substances such as formaldehyde and even heavy metals in some fabrics. When you put those new jeans or that crisp shirt straight onto your skin, the chemicals can seep out as you sweat, leading to redness, itchiness, or an allergic rash.
“We know that chemicals are continually lost from any material over time. It’s a physical reality that the chemicals migrate to your skin from your clothing, with and without sweat,” Professor Miriam Diamond a researcher at the University of Toronto told The Guardian. Plus, if you’re shopping in-store, you don’t know who has tried it on before you, which means you could be exposed to germs and bacteria transferred from their skin.
Your best bet? Make sure you put anything new in the wash, especially if it’s made of synthetic fabric like polyester and nylon, which usually contain dyes, or a cotton blend, which is often treated with wrinkle-resistant finishes.
The hidden dangers of second‑hand clothes
Buying second‑hand or vintage fashion is a great way to save money and reduce waste, but it’s worth remembering that these garments can also carry their hidden irritants. Second‑hand clothes can harbour traces of dust, sweat, body oils and residual laundry detergents from their previous owners. Yep, gross.
Some garments may have been stored in damp spaces, making them prone to mould and mildew. Others could contain dust mites or microscopic pests that cling to fabric fibres, especially in pieces that haven’t been washed recently.
A quick hot-water wash can make a massive difference for people with sensitive skin, eczema or respiratory allergies. The same goes for vintage or op‑shop finds with a musty or stale smell: this is a sign of mould spores or mildew, which a thorough wash can help remove.
How to make sure your clothes are clean
The best approach? Treat every new or second‑hand piece as a potential irritant until properly cleaned. Washing doesn’t just remove residues and irritants, it also kills bacteria, dust mites and other microorganisms that can cause discomfort.
- Check the label and wash at the highest temperature recommended for the fabric.
- Use a gentle, fragrance‑free detergent that’s suitable for sensitive skin.
- Double rinse new and second‑hand items to remove leftover detergent and residues.
- Dry thoroughly in a well‑ventilated space or direct sunlight to kill mould spores and dust mites.
- For delicate or vintage fabrics, consider dry cleaning or using a sanitising garment steamer.
- Wash twice if needed, especially for second‑hand pieces with a musty smell.
